What is Link Rot?

Link rot refers to the phenomenon where web links become invalid over time. According to research by Harvard Law School, over 50% of cited links become broken within 5 years of publication.

Why Do Links Break?

Website Shutdown: Small websites or personal blogs may stop operating for various reasons
Content Migration: URL structure changes during website redesign
Paywalls: Previously free content becomes paid content
Content Deletion: Authors actively remove content

How to Protect Your Bookmarks?

1. Use Caching-Enabled Bookmarking Tools

This is the most effective method. Tools like XMan automatically save webpage snapshots, allowing you to access cached content even when the original link fails.

2. Regularly Check Link Validity

Set regular reminders to check if important bookmarks are still valid. XMan automatically marks broken links.

3. Save Local Backups of Critical Content

For particularly important content, it's recommended to save a local backup as well.

4. Use Archive.org

Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is a public service that stores historical snapshots of numerous web pages.

Summary

Link rot is a widespread problem, but with the right tools and methods, you can effectively protect your digital collection. XMan's automatic caching feature ensures you never have to worry about 404 errors again.